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The Chinese Immigrants in Cuba collection includes hundreds of original documents, manuscripts and photos covering the migration of 125,000 Chinese who signed up to be cheap labor in Cuba from 1847 until the later 1890s. The archive continues until the 1970s and records the Chinese community in Cuba and is rich with photos. This massive collection, from the archive of James and Ana Melikian Collection, is probably the largest one in private hands concerning Chinese in Cuba. At present, the physical collection contains over 1,341 records and about 8,000-9,000 pages.

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Ship Documentation

Created1860
DescriptionRecords for the ship, Seraphina, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba. On this trip, the Serafina brought 400 settlers from Cuba. The Serafina stopped in Amoy and the Cape of Good Hope before going to Cuba.
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Shipping Record

Created1861-04-22
DescriptionRecords for the ship Maria Clotilde, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Troncaso Bustamante and Company. On this trip, the Maria Clotilde brought 256 settlers from China to work. They were hired to be domestic servants.
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Contract

Contributors林, 贵 (Contractor)
Created1855
DescriptionA letter to the Brigadier General Governor concerning the permanent residency of Saturnina, a Chinese settler who completed her eight year control with Marques Duqueme. Her contract, in Spanish and Chinese, is also included. 1855.
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Application Documents for Permanent Residence

Created1865
DescriptionThese are the documents for permanent residency for Saturnino, a Chinese settler in 1865. He lives in Soltero and Cardenas. His application includes his identity card.
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Contract

Contributors鍾, 大嬌 (Contractor)
Created1867
DescriptionA contract between Chung, a Chinese settler, and R. Calderon, an agent for La Alianza. La Alianza brought Chung from China to Cuba to work. He was to be hired by another employer upon arrival.
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List of Contracted Chinese Workers

Created1865-03-15
Description
This is a list of sixty Chinese settlers whose eight year labor contracts were transferred to Banco de San Carlos upon their arrival in Havana. The settlers were transported to Cuba aboard the Spanish ship "Emigrante", and they were required to work as indentured servants for eight years. These settlers…

This is a list of sixty Chinese settlers whose eight year labor contracts were transferred to Banco de San Carlos upon their arrival in Havana. The settlers were transported to Cuba aboard the Spanish ship "Emigrante", and they were required to work as indentured servants for eight years. These settlers were hired by the bank to do fieldwork in Matanzas, Cuba. 1865.
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Registry of Chinese Workers

Created1862
DescriptionList of workers who were recently hired by various employers. It lists the name of the employer or company, the name of the settler and their personal details.
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Contract

Created1868
DescriptionA contract between Lucas, a Chinese settler, and Manuel Betacourt. The contract was to last for eight years and lists the legal requirements for both the employee and the employer. Signed by the governor, Manuel Betacourt, and two witnesses.
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Formal Letter

Created1899
DescriptionA letter from the Consul General of China in Havana to Chang Yin Jung, the mayor of Matanzas. It details how the Consul General congratulates him on his recent appointment to the position of mayor.
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Letter

Created1902-08-12
DescriptionA letter from the Emperor of Qing dynasty to the President of Cuba. It details the friendly relationship between the two countries as the Qing's emperor wrote that he hope their diplomatic relations could last forever.